Fire claims Vale house

Firefighters from three counties battled a residential blaze for more than three hours Wednesday night near the Lincoln-Catawba line, Catawba County fire officials said.

A resident of 9279 Willis Road in Vale called the Catawba County Communications Center just after 10 p.m., Catawba County Fire Marshal Mark Petit said.

Cooksville Volunteer Fire Department arrived first on scene, followed by mutual aid from Lincoln County agencies — Northbrook and Union Volunteer Fire Departments — along with volunteer crews from South Mountain in Burke County, Petit said.

He noted the one-story, brick home succumbed to an accidental fire, which appeared to have started in the living room.

At the time, only one man, also the owner, was inside the residence. He safely exited the home, firefighters said.

Crews worked for three hours and 40 minutes to extinguish the home’s flames, fire officials said.

The structure has been deemed a total loss.

Firefighters notified the American Red Cross of the incident around 11:20 p.m.

Petit added the organization has more than likely placed the victim into temporary housing.

However, at time of publication, he was not sure what arrangements had been made.

Catawba County Emergency Medical Services also responded to Wednesday’s scene.